UPDATE: Pennsylvania is on the verge of a significant data center expansion, with major corporations like Amazon rushing to establish vast campuses across the state. As this development accelerates, local communities must act swiftly to ensure robust protections for their environment and health.
In a critical move last week, PennFuture, a nonprofit organization dedicated to environmental stewardship, launched its first video in a series aimed at educating residents on how to prepare for the influx of data centers. These videos, designed to empower municipalities, will cover essential topics such as water and power consumption, noise pollution, and aesthetic concerns. The first video, titled “What is a Data Center,” was released on August 4, 2023, with additional videos scheduled to drop weekly.
Why This Matters NOW: With the proposed easing of environmental regulations by the Trump administration, aimed at accelerating the construction of AI data centers, concerns over potential pollution are escalating. Critics warn that weakening the National Environmental Policy Act could lead to unchecked environmental damage, affecting local air and water quality. This is a pivotal moment for Pennsylvania residents to advocate for their rights and ensure that new developments do not come at the cost of their natural resources.
Data centers, the hidden backbone of modern technology, facilitate everything from social media to online banking. However, their environmental impact cannot be overlooked. According to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, a single data center can consume up to 5 million gallons of water daily—equivalent to the annual usage of a small town. Reports from residents near existing data centers highlight severe disruptions: noise comparable to “an airplane engine running constantly,” declining property values, and even foundation issues due to heavy operations.
As these developments unfold, PennFuture emphasizes the urgency of municipal action. Residents are encouraged to take the initiative by bringing PennFuture’s model ordinance to local governance meetings and lobbying for necessary protections.
The following video topics will be released in the coming weeks:
– Inside a Data Center (available August 4, 2023)
– Data Center Water Usage (available August 11, 2023)
– Data Center Power Usage (available August 18, 2023)
– Data Center Impact on Your Power Grid (available August 25, 2023)
– What Can Municipalities Do to Prepare for Data Centers? (available September 2, 2023)
– Economic Impacts of Data Centers (available September 8, 2023)
Residents must stay informed and engaged as Pennsylvania braces for the data center boom. The decisions made now will shape the future of the state’s air, land, and water quality. To access the videos and model ordinance, visit pennfuture.org/datacenters.
As the state moves forward, the call to action is clear: demand that the construction of data centers does not compromise the health and integrity of Pennsylvania’s communities and environment. Share this news and join the conversation—your voice matters in shaping the future.
